Still blames injuries and a lack of fitness for Connolly’s departure

Mike Simmonds

Hatters boss John Still felt a lack of fitness and constant injury problems prevented defender Paul Connolly from ever giving himself the best chance to impress at Kenilworth Road.

The 31-year-old had his contract mutually cancelled by the club last week and when quizzed on the decision, Still said: “If I looked at the games that he was unfit for, the training days he was unfit to train, it was more than he could play and train.

“His fitness levels and injury problems were immense and in the end it just made sense for it to move on.”

John Still

“So he never really got that opportunity if you like because he was never really fit enough.

“Paul was fine, I’ve got no problems with Paul, but his fitness levels and injury problems were immense and in the end it just made sense for it to move on.

“It gives him a chance to look around at other clubs before the mad time of the year comes when there are hundreds of players looking for football clubs.”

Connolly had been expected to be Town’s first choice right back when signing in pre-season after playing most of his career in the Championship.

However, he was eventually usurped by QPR loanee Michael Harriman as Still added: “It just didn’t kick in, but it’s football, it happens, what’s gone has gone.”